Sarah Van Tassel, M.D.

Ophthalmology

Locations and Appointments

Insurances Accepted

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*Indicates this doctor is no longer accepting new patients with this insurance plan.

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Personal Statement

Welcome! During your visit to the Department of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell, our team is dedicated to providing you with outstanding eye care. Many of my patients have glaucoma or are at risk for glaucoma. In addition, I care for patients with general eye conditions such as cataracts. My greatest goal is to preserve and restore vision while providing personalized and compassionate eye care. I look forward to meeting with you.

Biographical Info

Sarah H. Van Tassel, M.D. is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist and Director of the Glaucoma Service and Glaucoma Fellowship at Weill Cornell Medicine Ophthalmology.  Dr. Van Tassel specializes in glaucoma evaluation and treatment, including medical management, laser, and surgical procedures. She also performs cataract surgery and is up-to-date on the latest advances in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

A native of Missouri, Dr. Van Tassel graduated summa cum laude from Duke University.  She attended Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, where she also completed her residency in ophthalmology. Dr. Van Tassel then returned to Duke for a fellowship in glaucoma where she received specialized training in trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage device implantation, laser trabeculoplasty and iridotomy, complex cataract extraction, laser-assisted cataract extraction, implantation of astigmatic (toric) and multi-focal intraocular lenses, and microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

Dr. Van Tassel’s research focuses on the latest advances in ocular imaging and their applications to personalized diagnosis and management of glaucoma.  Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences, and she has received several academic awards including the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellowship.

Dr. Van Tassel is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Glaucoma Society, Women in Ophthalmology, and additional societies.  She is a founding member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Resident Self-Assessment Committee, through which she develops educational materials for ophthalmologists-in-training.

She is committed to providing personalized glaucoma and cataract care supplemented by the newest technologies, instruments, and techniques.  She is happy to provide second opinions for glaucoma and asks that all available records be obtained by the patient and brought to the consultation appointment. 

Dr. Van Tassel is currently accepting new patients.  Appointments can be made by calling 646-962-2020.

Honors and Awards

Mentoring for the Advancement of Physician Scientists (MAPS) Award, American Glaucoma Society 

Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellow

Resident Research Award, Weill Cornell Medical College Department of Ophthalmology

Distinguished Housestaff Award, Weill Cornell Medical Center Alumni Council

Resident Achievement Award, Weill Cornell Medical College Department of Ophthalmology 

EyeWiki Residents and Fellows in Training Contest Winner, American Academy of Ophthalmology 

Edward Norton Prize in Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medical College 

G. Thomas Shires II Prize in Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College 

Henry Adelman Memorial Award for Excellence in Geriatric Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College 

Distinguished Honors Thesis, Duke University 

Jim Bernstein Health Policy Scholar, Duke University

Phi Beta Kappa 

Board Certifications
American Board of Ophthalmology
Clinical Expertise
Glaucoma Surgery
Laser Trabeculoplasty
Laser Iridotomy
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
Cataract
Glaucoma Suspect
Childhood Glaucoma
Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Clinical Research
Languages
English
Education 
  • M.D.
    Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
    2012
  • A.B.
    Duke University
    2008
Appointments 
  • Associate Attending Ophthalmologist
    NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
  • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
    Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University

Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.

Consultant: 
New World Medical
THEA PHARMA INC.
Advisory/Scientific Board Member: 
Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
Allergan
Glaukos Corp
Ownership: 
Balance Ophthalmics, Inc.